Secrets to Finding Walleye During the Spawn

[@ILL_Angler]

I went out last Friday with my buddy on the Illinois River , we were pulling 3 ways with a floating jig and shiners or minnows on the jig with a trailer hook, and we caught one of the biggest I’ve personally seen on the Illinois 21” long and 3 lbs 4oz.

[@thegreatlakesfisherman]

Awesome! Not familiar with the Illinois at all but the that sounds like a setup similar to a bottom bouncer, which is very effective on Lake Erie and the Detroit River. Thanks for posting!

[@ILL_Angler]

@@thegreatlakesfisherman I’ve never wet a line in Michigan, might be the year for a trip. Tight lines🎣

[@ricomidence2063]

Go to Detroit river! You will have the time of your life. Hit them up in April. Limits in 30 minutes on some days​@@ILL_Angler

[@adambriggs7032]

Thank you for the information and good video. Do you have boat launch you prefer to use over others on the Detroit river?

[@thegreatlakesfisherman]

I’m on the American side so my answer is based solely on that experience. Erie Metropark is the best one on the lower river. Mid River is tough because the ramps don’t handle high volume very well. Ecorse & Wyandotte are the 2 choices there. I’d say they’re about equal with be an edge to Wyandotte. Delay is another choice but it’s a bit further north, closer to the Ambassador bridge. I’ve never launched north of the bridge. Hope this helps!

[@dailyofday]

What about creeks

[@thegreatlakesfisherman]

I haven’t fished creeks for walleye, but my guess is the creek would need to be deep enough in places with enough gravel, etc. but should follow similar patterns as in the rivers.

[@ksport4]

do some baits work better for the females during the spawn and post spawn? noticed i hardly catch females during late april into may

[@thegreatlakesfisherman]

There are more males than females spawning (males mature a year earlier than females). In addition, the females like deeper water. For females, try fishing deeper water and going with larger baits. Hope this helps!